My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, Ponyo, Howl’s Moving Castle… Studio Ghibli has created some of the most magical movies ever made, and now with the announcement of their North American distribution deal with GKIDS, you’ll be able to take them home and watch them over and over again. Though the visionary production house has had DVDs and Blu Rays released largely by Disney in North America, GKIDS will now bring Studio Ghibli films to our small screens with a full roster of reissues.
GKIDS already had the rights to the newer movies and two previously unreleased ones from Miyazaki’s groundbreaking animation studio. With this announcement, they will take on Ghibli’s entire 20-film catalog, which includes classics like Castle in the Sky, Kiki’s Delivery Service, and Princess Mononoke. This deal sees the home and theater distribution rights come together under the GKIDS banner, coinciding with Studio Ghibli Fest, which will see GKIDS screen classic Ghibli movies in theaters nationwide.
Established in 1985, Studio Ghibli is a powerhouse studio that’s created some of the most influential animated films of all time under the watchful eye of Hayao Miyazaki. With a catalog spanning over 30 years–often featuring strong female characters, daring political allegories, and bursting with skilled hand-drawn cel animation–Ghibli’s movies are truly like nothing else on Earth.
GKIDS is a nine-time Oscar-nominated producer and distributor of feature animation. You’ll likely have seen some of their most lauded work including The Secret of Kells, A Cat in Paris, Chico & Rita, Song of the Sea, and this year’s My Life as a Zucchini. With these newest additions to GKIDS roster, they’ll be rounding out their Ghibli collection and bringing all of your favorite classic Ghibli movies right into your home.
Who’s your favorite Ghibli heroine? Which of these movies can you not wait to own at home? Will you be hitting any of the Studio Ghibli Fest screenings? Let us know in the comments!
Images: Studio Ghibli
